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WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- The United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York, on Monday approved Westchester Medical Center’s purchase of the assets of Saint Francis Hospital and Health Centers In Poughkeepsie.

“Westchester Medical Center’s historical mission has always been to ensure that Hudson Valley residents have access to the finest advanced medical care as close to home as possible, regardless of their ability to pay,” said Michael D. Israel, WMC President and CEO. “Saint Francis has been a critical link to quality care for those living and working in the community and we believe that the organization’s future as a full-service community hospital is very bright indeed.”

Mark Tulis, chairman of WMC's Board of Directors, said that WMC’s three health care facilities (415-bed University Hospital, 136-bed Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital and 101-bed Behavioral Health Center) are all operating near, at or above capacity and the Medical Center will have invested more than $200 million into infrastructure, technology and physical plant in just four years.

In a letter to the community, Israel and SFHHC President and CEO Art Nizza wrote, “Our commitment is to keep a full-service community hospital open, enhancing and strengthening all of the fine services that exist including such critical services as behavioral health programs, addiction recovery services, a special needs preschool, and Level Two Trauma Center, as well as well-known core medical services like joint replacement and physical rehabilitation, the latest robotic surgery procedures and a comprehensive cancer program. At the same time, we also plan to introduce additional advanced-care offerings locally to more patients in areas such as neurosciences, cardiovascular and critical care, including advanced technologies such as telemedicine. And more healthcare services mean more jobs for the community.”

Saint Francis and Westchester Medical Center will implement a management services agreement. When Implemented, Westchester Medical Center will work with Saint Francis Hospital to provide oversight and expertise to help stabilize and improve its finances and operations.

During this time period, the Saint Francis Board and management team remain in charge of the organization. As of the transaction closing on or around May 9, Westchester Medical Center will purchase the assets of Saint Francis.

Nizza and Israel closed their letter by saying, “We’re excited about our new partnership. We are also very thankful for the outpouring of support and enthusiasm we have received from the Saint Francis and Westchester Medical Center families and the community at large. We respect the trust you are putting in sus and over the coming weeks and months, we promise to communicate openly with you about our plans and progress. We look forward to your continued encouragement as we work to strengthen the region’s healthcare for today and tomorrow.”